Toxic megacolon

Abstract

Toxic megacolon is a potentially life-threatening complication of inflammatory bowel disease or infectious colitis that is characterized by total or segmental non-obstructive colonic dilatation and associated with severe systemic toxicity. While management is initially medical, some cases progress to require acute surgical intervention. Meticulous critical care and close attention to developing signs of sepsis are imperative. This chapter presents an overview of the diverse etiologies, pathophysiology and complex surgical therapy for this condition and the problematic decision making involved when there is no improvement in various clinical parameters.